VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stressed that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must not become a battleground of rivalry and a proxy of any country.

"We, in ASEAN, are committed to continuously bolstering unity and solidarity as well as strengthening ASEAN's centrality in maintaining peace and stability in the region," the president noted while delivering his remarks at the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) here on Friday.

Apart from highlighting the need for all parties to respect international law, Jokowi also hoped for cooperation and support from all ASEAN members and partners to use Southeast Asia's potential as an epicentrum of growth, in line with the theme of Indonesia's ASEAN chairmanship this year.

The president noted that the Southeast Asia region has potential in the form of its large productive-age population as well as abundant natural resources.

He remarked that ASEAN countries need understanding, wisdom, and also support from both developed and friendly nations to leave the zero-sum approach and adopt a win-win approach.

The president expressed optimism that the ASEAN member countries and partners present at the meeting would seek resolutions for various regional and global issues and not exacerbate them.

"There is a saying in Indonesia, namely menang tanpa ngasorake, which means we can become a winner without degrading others, without defeating others. For that, I invite us to be honorable winners," the president affirmed.

The series of the 56th AMM events are taking place on July 10-14.

The events comprise several meetings, including a meeting of the commission of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), meeting with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), plenary session, and retreat session.

Furthermore, the agenda includes the ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings with ASEAN dialogue partners, namely India, New Zealand, Russia, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.

It also includes the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). (antaranews)